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Northern Illinois' Tom Matukewicz will spend his 15th year of college coaching in his first season mentoring the Huskie linebackers. Matukewicz spent the last seven seasons at Southern Illinois under head coach Jerry Kill. Honored as the 2007 Football Championship Subdivision Assistant Coach of the Year (FCS) by the American Football Coaches Association, he helped turn the Salukis into one of the stingiest rushing defenses in the FCS. Over the last five years, Matukewicz mentored have been especially effective. SIU held its opponents to a rushing average below 135 yards per game every year from 2002-07. His linebackers helped form three of the top 10 rushing defenses in program history. Matukewicz has coached an impressive group of student-athletes who excelled both on and off the field. In seven years at SIU, Matukewicz's linebackers earned all-conference honors nine times, while five garnered all-academic recognition for their performance in the classroom. Matukewicz's pupils included Bart Scott, Royal Whitaker, and Brandin Jordan. Scott earned All-America honors in 2001, and completed his sixth season with the National Football League's Baltimore Ravens. He earned a trip to the 2006 Pro Bowl after a breakout NFL season in which he ranked second in tackles on the league's best statistical defense. Whitaker started four seasons for Southern Illinois, and earned all-Gateway honors three times. Jordan, the Gateway's 2006 Newcomer of the Year, ranked third on the team in tackles in 2007, garnering second-team all-conference accolades. That season, Jordan was joined on the All-Gateway team by versatile linebacker Chauncey Mixon, who ranked first on the squad with 118 tackles, seven pass break-ups and 14.5 tackles-for-loss. Mixon's effort also earned him Sports Network All-American status. Mixon was named a third team All-American in 2007. Matukewicz's most prolific linebacking corps played in 2004, forming the heart of a defense that gave up only 101.7 rushing yards per game, led the nation (FSC) in scoring defense and allowed only 13.2 points per game. His 2005 group was also notable, helping SIU rank 13th in the country in rushing defense. Before coaching at Southern Illinois, Matukewicz coached at Emporia State, where he acted as the defensive line coach, in addition to responsibilities as the marketing and promotions director. He has also made stops at Butler Country Community College, Coffeyville Community College and Pittsburg State, where earned his master of science degree in sports management. Matukewicz completed his undergraduate work at Fort Hays State, receiving his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1997. Matukewicz and his wife Lenna have one daughter Georgia (1).
ABOUT MATUKEWICZ
Education
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